Kirkwood School District | Keysor Elementary School

I am encouraging the students to tell you some of the things they are learning in music class. You can help reinforce what your child is learning in music in several ways:

1. You can listen to music together. Check out Classic Kids® on KFUO 99.1 FM on Saturday mornings. Classic Kids® is a music program designed for young audiences.
2. Explore the world of music together by listening to lots of different styles of music. Check out the world music and folk music shelves at your local record store or public library for intriguing sounds from South Africa to Bulgaria.
3. You can attend musical performances together. Young children do well at informal concerts, such as at the mall or park, where they are not expected to sit still. As children grow older, start introducing them to more formal concerts, planning to stay for only the first selection or two as your child's attention span becomes longer.
4. You may also wish to check out CDs and cassettes from the public library or download some new music on your iPod.
   
5. You can check out music-related internet sites together. See the music links on this web page .
6. You can experiment with objects at home that make interesting sounds. Try experimenting with various containers in your kitchen. Bowls and cups can be filled with water, rice, and even cornflakes for sound exploration.
7. Negotiate a reasonable, no-tears practice schedule. There is no magic in being chained to an instrument for 30 minutes at a time. Children will benefit musically from 10-15 minute practice sessions twice per day, while their attitudes toward music will benefit considerably. As they grow older and begin to play more complex music, most children will recognize the need to practice for longer periods of time.
8. Sing together OFTEN: sing familiar songs, sing with "sing-along" cassettes, sing on car trips, sing together at family celebrations, sing lullabies at bed time, and make up songs to sing. You can also take tunes that are familiar and turn them into songs to accompany daily activities.
9. You can make music for each other and friends. Try creating a family music video or cassette to use as a holiday or birthday gift for relatives and friends. Or, hold periodic informal concerts for small groups of family and friends, where everyone can sing or play for each other in a non-threatening setting (adults included). You can even hold a cookie or an ice cream sundae "reception" afterwards to reward the musicians and turn this into a special event.
10. Check your local television listings for programs which feature the music of different styles and cultures. You can even rent broadway musicals, orchestra and band concert videos, and biographies about famous composers from your local video store or library. For information on upcoming music programs on television check out the PBS website at www.pbs.org/kids.

These are just a few ways that music can be extended from school to your home.